Main Building

The Main Building rises prominently over the Notre Dame campus, crowned with a golden dome and a 19-foot statue of Mary. It houses the administrative offices, including the President's office, along with original classrooms that date from when it was first constructed.

A destructive fire in 1879 destroyed the original building, after which architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke designed this Collegiate Gothic replacement. The reconstruction used more than 4 million bricks and became the defining structure of the campus.

Inside, portraits of past university leaders line the hallways, recording the institution's journey over time. Murals depicting Columbus's voyages decorate the walls and shape how people experience the interior spaces.

The building is limited to administrative use, so visitor access inside is restricted. The best views are from outside on the campus grounds, where the dome and surrounding architecture are fully visible from different angles.

The dome's gold surface requires surprisingly little material during regilding, needing only a handful of gold leaf to cover the entire dome. This reveals how thin the golden coating is that gives the building its signature shine.

Location: Notre Dame

Inception: September 1, 1879

Architects: Willoughby J. Edbrooke

Architectural style: Collegiate Gothic

GPS coordinates: 41.70306,-86.23897

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:21